US set to bolster support for Ukraine – Blinken

United States Secretary of State Anthony Blinken assures that the United States is determined to strengthen its support for Ukraine.

Blinken said this at a hearing of the US House of Representatives (lower house of Congress) committee on foreign affairs.

"We are very focused on supporting Ukraine and its democracy, supporting its fight against corruption, and undoubtedly supporting its efforts to repel Russian aggression, especially in eastern Ukraine, in the Donbas," Blinken said.

Also, the US Secretary of State said that the United States refuses to recognize Russia's attempted annexation of Crimea.

"We are resolutely opposed to Russia's attempt to annex Crimea. We are resolutely opposed to its aggression in the Donbas," Blinken emphasized.

The secretary of state said the United States "intends to increase support for Ukraine" in the areas of security, economics and its efforts to strengthen democracy.

He recalled that Ukraine has to deal with Russian aggression from the outside, but also to respond to its own challenges from the inside, including the problem of corruption.

"We are determined to work on all of these issues," Blinken said.